“Russian troops massing near Ukraine are actively concealing their positions and establishing supply lines that could be used in a prolonged deployment, ratcheting up concerns that Moscow is preparing for another major incursion and not conducting exercises as it claims,” the Journal reported.

“Such an incursion could take place without warning because Russia has already deployed the array of military forces needed for such an operation,” it added.

According to US officials, Russia massed 50,000 troops on Ukraine’s border. An unnamed Ukrainian official said 100,000.

A “senior US official” said “(w)hat matters is the intent. And we don’t have a clear sense of that.”

False! No Russian buildup exists. No Ukraine invasion is planned. Putin isn’t expansionist. He respects sovereign rights of other nations.

Its intensity exceeds the worst of Cold War years. It shows no signs of ebbing. Lies, damn lies, and misinformation remain official Western editorial policy.

Stars and Stripes is a Pentagon publication. On March 27, it featured a McClatchy Foreign Staff report. It quoted illegitimate Orange Revolution leader Viktor Yushchenko.

Washington elevated him to power fraudulently. He left office widely despised. His last public act was naming Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera a Hero of Ukraine.

It’s the highest national title award. It’s given for “personal heroism and great labor achievements.” Bandara collaborated in mass executions and ethnic cleansing.

Yushchenko lied claiming “Putin will not pause…This is harvest time for” him. “(H)is mission in this life is to restore the USSR.”

Russia “has not changed, not in 50 years, or 100 years, or 200 years. When Russia builds an empire, it starts with Ukraine.”

“In other words, to build a new empire, the success of Putin’s policy rests on the war in Ukraine. His mission is not complete without it.”

“The biggest European state is disappearing before our eyes. It must be a common cause to stop the aggressor. Crimea was a test. If we don’t understand that, we’re inviting the aggressor to advance even further.”

Ukraine’s problems are its own making. Possible internal power struggles emerged. Right Sector neo-Nazis are involved. They’re militantly hardline.

They’re the worst of a bad lot of rogues running things. They’re gun-toting, radicalized terrorists. They want more authority than already.

They’re incensed about Aleksandr Muzychko’s (aka Sashko Bilyi) assassination. He was killed in Rovno. It’s in western Ukraine. He coordinated Right Sector elements. They vow revenge.

Over 1,500 Right Sector extremists encircled Kiev’s parliament (Rada). On Thursday, they threatened to storm it.

They wore masks. They came armed. They brandished bats.They demand Interior Minister Arsen Avakov’s ouster. “Avakov get out,” they screamed!

They want him tried for murder. Right Sector Dmitry Yarosh said:

“We’ll wait for the negotiators from the Parliament, the MPs, but we won’t settle for Avakov’s resignation. We want his tribunal.”

On Friday, Voice of Russia (VOR) said Right Sector members postponed storming Kiev’s parliament.

An interim commission was formed. It’ll investigate Muzychko’s killing. Right Sector members will be involved.

Oleh Odnorozhenko is one of its Political Council officials. Following negotiations with parliamentarians, he said:

“(T)he demands put forth by the Right Sector have been fulfilled, and tomorrow we will gather outside the Verkhovna Rada and will continue to monitor the situation at the Verkhovna Rada.”

Demands for Avakov’s ouster continue. He’s getting Right Sector threats, he said. He “accepts the challenge,” he added. On Friday, rallies outside Kiev’s parliament continued for his removal.

“We call on you to cancel all existing DoD contracts with Rosoboronexport, as well as any plans for future deals, and impose sanctions to ban contracts with any company that cooperates with Rosoboronexport on military programs.”

“Doing so would require our foreign partners to make a choice between America and Putin.”

“Rosoboronexport is an arm of the Russian government and a powerful instrument of Vladimir Putin’s increasingly belligerent foreign policy, and it handles more than 80 percent of Russia’s weapons exports.”

Days earlier, Coats introduced a Ukrainian aid bill amendment. It prohibits doing business with Rosoboronexport. It cancels existing contracts and agreements.

Intense Russia bashing continues. It remains to be seen how far things go. Too far risks them spinning out-of-control. Major conflicts start this way.

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967. He remained there until retiring at year end 1999. Writing on major world and national issues began in summer 2005. In early 2007, radio hosting followed. Lendman now hosts the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. Distinguished guests are featured. Listen live or archived. Major world and national issues are discussed. Lendman is a 2008 Project Censored winner and 2011 Mexican Journalists Club international journalism award recipient.

About Stephen

Stephen Lendman was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. In 1956, he received a BA from Harvard University. Two years of US Army service followed, then an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1960. After working seven years as a marketing research analyst, he joined the Lendman Group family business in 1967.